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Good News for the Franchise

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LeBron James becomes minority stakeholder in Liverpool

Basketball star LeBron James has become a minority stakeholder in Liverpool after signing a representation deal with the club's owners.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has struck a deal to partner the Miami Heat player's marketing firm to become his exclusive worldwide representative.

The report in the Wall Street Journal said James received an undisclosed stake in Liverpool as part of the deal.

"This is a great opportunity for me," said NBA star James.

"The first time I stepped on an NBA court I became a businessman."

Referring to Liverpool's title honours James added: "Eighteen championships. I see myself trying to do the same things they have."

The Wall Street Journal said Maverick Carter, chief executive of LRMR Branding & Marketing, had expressed his desire to build James' portfolio internationally.

"We're not interested in talent or athlete representation but we think he is one of the most remarkable athletes of his time," FSG and Liverpool chairman Tom Werner told the newspaper.

"We believe we can open doors for LeBron and LeBron can open doors for us. Without purchasing Liverpool, we never would have been able to have this conversation."
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Re: LeBron James becomes minority stakeholder in Liverpool

Over the past two decades, soccer has become increasingly popular in the United States. Beginning with the 1994 World Cup, American sports fans have steadily come to understand that players are full of engaging style even if there aren't a ton of goals, and that a draw can be just as exciting as a victory. These days, there are enough casual soccer fans that a mid-week broadcast of a Champions League match or a big weekend game between two English Premier League clubs can get a pretty solid TV rating in this country.

In fact, the sport is popular enough here that an athlete investing in a successful soccer club can be seen as a pretty intelligent business decision rather than some questionable entrance into foreign enterprise. So it should not be a terrible surprise that Miami Heat star LeBron James(notes) now owns part of the legendary Liverpool Football Club. From Matthew Futterman for the Wall Street Journal:

The deal between Mr. James and Fenway Sports Group will give Mr. James a minority stake in the soccer club Liverpool, which FSG owns. FSG, which also owns the Boston Red Sox, is partnering with Mr. James's sports-marketing firm, LRMR Branding & Marketing to become the exclusive world-wide representative for Mr. James.

The deal marks the first time that a professional athlete at the top of his game has taken an ownership interest in a team with the size and reach of Liverpool, which is one of the most popular and powerful sports franchises in the world.

It also adds yet another dimension for Boston-based FSG, which became a global operation last October when it bought Liverpool for $488 million. The company was founded as New England Sports Ventures nine years ago after Messrs. Henry and Werner bought the Red Sox and 80% of regional sports channel New England Sports Network. In 2007 Fenway became 50% owner of the Nascar auto-racing team Roush Fenway Racing.

LeBron has said for years that he wants to become a global icon on the order of Michael Jordan. And while reaching that level of fame will probably always depend most on whether or not he becomes an NBA champion several times over, business decisions like this one (and, in a more minor sense, the web cartoon series he premiered Wednesday) position him to reach out to an unprecedented number of fans. In return, he will likely help give Liverpool a larger profile among budding fans of European football in America.

Along with Manchester United, Liverpool is historically the most successful soccer team in the United Kingdom, earning 18 championships at the top level of English football and five European Cup trophies. They've fallen on relatively hard times over the past few seasons, but they are an established brand with worldwide recognition. It's extremely unlikely that LeBron will have any say in the club's policy or day-to-day operations, but, as far as marketing ploys go, this is a smart one.

LeBron's detractors are sure to wonder if continual marketing moves such as this one are distracting LeBron from gaining the competitive spark needed to become the best player on a team that wins multiple championships. These concerns are not without merit, but they'll also continue to follow James around until he reaches that achievement. If that day ever comes, LeBron will want to be well positioned to become the most famous athlete the world has ever seen. This relationship with Liverpool gets him closer to that goal. Taken on its own merits, it's a great decision.
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Re: LeBron James becomes minority stakeholder in Liverpool

Oops... repost.

Delete this please.
 
Re: LeBron James becomes minority stakeholder in Liverpool

[quote author=DHSC link=topic=44848.msg1311559#msg1311559 date=1302163368]
I hate LeFraud.
[/quote]

Why?
 
My LeBron thread will not go down without a fight against Keni and his rebellion of a thread!
 
Re: LeBron James becomes minority stakeholder in Liverpool

[quote author=keniget link=topic=44843.msg1311562#msg1311562 date=1302163749]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=44848.msg1311559#msg1311559 date=1302163368]
I hate LeFraud.
[/quote]

Why?
[/quote]

How he left the Cavs ... Think Torres, now think much worse.
 
Re: LeBron James becomes minority stakeholder in Liverpool

[quote author=keniget link=topic=44843.msg1311562#msg1311562 date=1302163749]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=44848.msg1311559#msg1311559 date=1302163368]
I hate LeFraud.
[/quote]

Why?
[/quote]

I can't stand his arrogance. Anointing himself as King James even though he has not won a championship yet. Pffft. Also his way of announcing his 'decision' to join the Heat was downright disgusting.

Having said all that, I respect him as a player. He will be one of the all-time greats.
 
Re: LeBron James becomes minority stakeholder in Liverpool

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=44843.msg1311564#msg1311564 date=1302163885]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=44843.msg1311562#msg1311562 date=1302163749]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=44848.msg1311559#msg1311559 date=1302163368]
I hate LeFraud.
[/quote]

Why?
[/quote]

How he left the Cavs ... Think Torres, now think much worse.
[/quote]

Who cares what he did, it's netball for men ffs.
 
Re: LeBron James becomes minority stakeholder in Liverpool

[quote author=Kenny4PM link=topic=44843.msg1311569#msg1311569 date=1302164591]
[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=44843.msg1311564#msg1311564 date=1302163885]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=44843.msg1311562#msg1311562 date=1302163749]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=44848.msg1311559#msg1311559 date=1302163368]
I hate LeFraud.
[/quote]

Why?
[/quote]

How he left the Cavs ... Think Torres, now think much worse.
[/quote]



Who cares what he did, it's netball for men ffs.
[/quote]

I used to think you were cool Rafa.
 
Re: LeBron James becomes minority stakeholder in Liverpool

[quote author=Kenny4PM link=topic=44843.msg1311569#msg1311569 date=1302164591]
[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=44843.msg1311564#msg1311564 date=1302163885]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=44843.msg1311562#msg1311562 date=1302163749]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=44848.msg1311559#msg1311559 date=1302163368]
I hate LeFraud.
[/quote]

Why?
[/quote]

How he left the Cavs ... Think Torres, now think much worse.
[/quote]

Who cares what he did, it's netball for men ffs.
[/quote]

I miss Rafa4PM. He was always nice to me.
 
We’re here in the city that hates LeBron James, who left his hometown Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.

James is now joining forces with Red Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner and their parent company, Fenway Sports Management, as a minority owner of the Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League.

Who knew King James was a soccer fan? Well, if he wasn’t, he is now.

No doubt the Celtics are happy to hear about this partnership, hoping this is one more distraction that will prevent James from being at his best in the playoffs. James has had the rap of not being able to take his team to the next level, that he’s missing that special quality that players such as Tom Brady and Kobe Bryant have.

That perception might change with the Heat, but the fact that James is a businessman in his spare time and obviously involved in making this long-term deal, will open him up to even more criticism if the Heat don’t make the NBA Finals.

And if the Celtics should benefit, they likely will send Henry and Werner a thank you.

If anything, this is a tremendous topic of conversation, if not a sign of the times. An active NBA star is now a part-owner of one of the most-storied franchises in sports, and now linked with the Red Sox through Henry and Werner.

Although James has no controlling interest in the soccer team and won’t be playing goalie or making personnel decisions, he made what experts believe to be a terrific business decision. Liverpool is one of the most profitable franchises in sports, obtained for $487 million when Tom Hicks, who also ran the Texas Rangers into bankruptcy, couldn’t sustain it and had to sell for what experts believed was 60 percent of its value. James’s presence should excite the masses and create a celebrity-like atmosphere around the team.

So, FSM president Sam Kennedy, how did this happen? How could James, a Yankees fan, get together with Henry and Werner and form this unique partnership through James’s marketing company, LRMR?

Kennedy explained that James met Henry and Werner at a function for Berkshire Hathaway, billionaire Warren Buffett’s company. James liked the idea of being an owner and hit it off with Henry and Werner.

“He’s definitely a soccer fan,’’ said Maverick Carter, James’s business partner. “He loves sports and he took a good look at what John and Tom have done with their sports entities and the history associated with the Liverpool franchise, and he decided that it was something he wanted to be involved with.’’

The initial meeting between James, Henry, and Werner took place in November when a mutual friend, Paul Wachter, got the parties together.

The big news here is the marketing, endorsement, and philanthropic endeavors FSM and James will undertake during this relationship. Nobody was specific, but the partners are thinking global. The aim is to take advantage of James’s name recognition and combine his firm’s marketing expertise with FSM’s sales and business development strengths to drive deals for Liverpool.

Say this about Henry and Werner, when they do business, they do it big.

“We believe this will be a powerful collaboration between FSM and LRMR and LeBron. There are very few athletes who can match his global reach, appeal, and iconic status,’’ said Werner. “We are very excited that LeBron will be part of the Liverpool FC family. LeBron and Liverpool each has a powerful presence internationally, with particular strength in Asia, but we feel the business opportunities for both working and being identified together in emerging international markets will result in unforeseen opportunities that neither would have been able to realize alone.’’

Kennedy was asked if he’s been able to gauge reaction to the partnership.

“Liverpool has 5 million Facebook followers,’’ Kennedy said. “To put that into perspective, the Red Sox have 2 million Facebook followers and we’re second overall in Major League Baseball. So, Liverpool has 2 1/2 times the followers of the Red Sox, so there’s going to be a lot of reaction internationally to this relationship. I’m pretty eager to see what the reaction is.’’

Kennedy said the best way to describe the relationship with James and FSM is it is similar to FSM’s relationship with Roush Fenway Racing. But FSM owns 50 percent of the racing team, and while James’s ownership stake in Liverpool was not revealed, it’s definitely not that much.

“I am thrilled to be working with John Henry and Tom Werner,’’ said James between dribbles (just kidding). “These guys, like me, have a passion for sports. You can see the drive and commitment they have for their teams.

“For me, this is about being in business with an organization that loves sports as much as I do.’’

The Celtics, meanwhile, hope James takes part in a lot of board meetings, conference calls, forms marketing strategies, and really gets into this. Especially late May and into June.

Henry and Werner have done it again. One almost can’t wait to see whom they partner with next.
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[quote author=Avvy link=topic=44843.msg1311555#msg1311555 date=1302162226]
This isnt an April Fools joke?
[/quote]

Yes.

Yes it is.
 
[quote author=Kenny4PM link=topic=44843.msg1311573#msg1311573 date=1302165130]
Bouncy bouncy bouncy shoot, that's it.
[/quote]

As opposed to kicky kicky kicky shoot?
 
[quote author=themn link=topic=44843.msg1311581#msg1311581 date=1302166038]
[quote author=Avvy link=topic=44843.msg1311555#msg1311555 date=1302162226]
This isnt an April Fools joke?
[/quote]

Yes.

Yes it is.
[/quote]

It would have been a great one anyway.
 
[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=44843.msg1311584#msg1311584 date=1302166868]
[quote author=Kenny4PM link=topic=44843.msg1311573#msg1311573 date=1302165130]
Bouncy bouncy bouncy shoot, that's it.
[/quote]

As opposed to kicky kicky kicky shoot?
[/quote]

*sniggers*

I was thinking of that, but I actually prefer kicky kicky to bouncy bouncy.

Although, basketball is really quite an intricate game with all the plays that can be drawn up.
 
[quote author=Kenny4PM link=topic=44843.msg1311590#msg1311590 date=1302167906]
What like chuck it to the really tall guy standing by the basket?
[/quote]

You're forgetting that you have to bounce it first.
 
[quote author=Kenny4PM link=topic=44843.msg1311590#msg1311590 date=1302167906]
What like chuck hoof it to the really tall guy standing by the basket goal?
[/quote]
 
[quote author=Kenny4PM link=topic=44843.msg1311590#msg1311590 date=1302167906]
What like chuck it to the really tall guy standing by the basket?
[/quote]

Not far off we're doing currently. (Kick it to the tall guy nearest the goal.)

I don't really understand sporting snobbery, to be honest. Different strokes for different folks and all that. Very often it's as much to do with culture or where you grew up as anything. The fact is, pretty much any sport can be boiled down to its most simplistic objective. "Kick the ball in the goal - what's so hard about that?" But of course such comments are ignorant, and ill-informed. While the objective is usually simple, the key to being successful is obviously more complex. Every sport is unique, with it's own idiosyncrasies and intricacies which are usually only understood by the fans who watch it and study it.

The fact is, to be playing at the highest level of any sport requires a great deal of talent and skill, so why undermine it? If something doesn't interest you, fine, but ill-informed commentary just makes you look a bit ignorant really.
 
fact is, it is very unlikely that this guy will front a PENNY (CENT, or whatever) of his money so who gives a fuck who he is or that he is on the board?
 
Oh Del do shut the fuck up you big div. I've made a few light hearted digs at a sport i don't care for and now you're getting all serious.

For what it's worth i don't like watching any of the 3 main american sports, despite trying on numerous times to get involved.
 
[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=44843.msg1311610#msg1311610 date=1302170466]
It was a bit of a lecture, wasn't it? Sorry. You ignorant cunt. ( 😉 )
[/quote]

Ha no worries.

I still don't like it mind
 
[quote author=themn link=topic=44843.msg1311455#msg1311455 date=1302126130]
I have a feeling that Ryan kind of hates LeBron James.

This will brighten his day/week/life.
[/quote]

Erm na, he doesn't really bother me tbh.

He's a cock like, but then 99% of basketballers are.
 
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